Gun perforator



Oct. 5, 1943.

L. SPENCER GUN PERFORATOR Filed March 4, 1942 INVENTOR Patented Oct. 5, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT. OIFFICE' GUN PERFORATOR Lloyd Spencer, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Lane-Wells Company, Los Angeles, Calif, a corporation of Delaware My invention relates to gun periorators: that is, to devices which are lowered into well casin and caused to fire bullets through the casing to permit inflow of fluid. Among the objects of my invention are:

First, to provide a gun perforator which comprises a plurality ofseparate gun units which are adapted to be stacked and secured end'to end;

Second, to provide a sectional multiple unit gun.

perforator wherein each gun unit is complete in itself in that it comprises a gun bore and cartridge socket which may be loaded before being assembled with other gun units;

Third, to provide a sectional gun perforator in which the gun sections or units are particularly simple and economical of manufacture, and any one of the gun units may be readily removed and replaced in the event it should become damaged;

Fourth, to provide a gun. perforator in which the axial length of each gun unit is minimized so that a maximum number of units may be incorporated in a gun of given length and weight;

Fifth, to provide a gun perforator which may be initially ignited electrically or otherwise and is so arranged that each gun unit as it fires ignites the succeeding gun unit, so that other than initiating the discharge of the uppermost gun unit no electrical or mechanical means is required to insure discharge of the succeeding gun units:

Sixth, to provide a gun perforator in which the axes of the gun'bores of the several'gun units may definecompositely a spiral, that is, the muzzle ends of the gun units define spiral paths so as to distribute the gun perforations uniformly around the walls of the casin Seventh, to provide a gun perforator wherein a time-delay is introduced between the ignition of each gun unit, so that the gun units fire in sequence to reduce the. pressure surge such as would be created were the gun units fired simultaneously; and

Eighth, to provide a gun perforator which incorporates some of the advantages of the gun perforator disclosed in my preceding patent, No. 2,266,343, issued December 16, 1941.

With the above and other objects in view, as may appear hereinafter, reference is directed to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of my gun perforator as it appears when assembled;

Figure 2 is a. top or plan view of one of the gun units, indicating by dotted lines the position of the succeeding gun units below;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectioral view taken substantially through 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of the breech plug before assembly. 4

My gun perforatorincludes a plurality of gun units. Each gun unit I is in the form of a cylindrical disk or block which is divided diametrically into a breech portion 2 and a barrelportion 3 which are therefore semi-cylindrical. The breech portion 2 has greater axial length than thefiiarrel portion and therefore extends above and below the upper and lower sides of the barrel portion to form steps or shoulders l. The upper and lower corners of the barrel portions which are extended from the steps 4 are provided with axially directed ribs 5 having faces which are parallel to the steps '4. Complementary recesses 6 are provided in the corners of the breech portion 2. The breech and barrel portions a e so proportioned that the breech end of one gun unit is adapted to fit upon the'barrel portion of the adjacent gun unit, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, u

'extend'ing gun bore 1, preferably centered between the two planes of the upper and lower steps 4, that 'is, if the upper and lower steps are displaced relatively 10 the axis of the gun bore is preferably approximately with respect to each of the steps.

Each gun bore 1. extends into the breech por tion 2 and is intersected by a. vertically extending cartridge bore or socket 8, which extends past the gun bore but is open only to one axial end of the breech portion. Each cartridge bore I is preferably slightly larger in diameter than the gun bore and its axis is offset from the axis of its gun bore arcuately an amount equal to the arcuate displacement of the gun unit above; that is, if the displacement is 10 the axis of the cartridge bore or socket is offset from its corresponding gun bore 10. As a consequence, the cartridge bore of each gun unit aligns vertically with the gun bore of the unit above.

Each gun bore 1 receives a bullet 9 which is positioned at the inner end thereof. The outer Celluloid or analogous material filled with an.

explosive.

The upper end of each cartridge bore I is provided with a counterbore l2 and the lower side of the gun unit above is provided with a comple-' mentary recess [3. The counterbore and recess receive a breech plug [5. A small passage i 4 extends in all gun units except the one adjacent the head 24 from the gun bore of the unit above to the recess IS.

The breech plug II is in the form of a short cylinder and is provided with a small bore l6 therethrough. The upper end of the bore I8 is preferably enlarged and its upper extremity provided with an internal flange or pressure lip i1. Similarly, the outer periphery of the breech plug i5 is provided adjacent its upper and lower edges with annular channels which define pressure lips l8 and I9. The lower end of the breech plug is provided with a depending pressure skirt 20 which fits into the upper end of the cartridge bore 8. 'As shown in Figure 4, the pressure lips 18 and is are initially formed to extend above and below the normal upper and lower faces 01' the breech plug, so that when the breech plug is clamped between adjacent gun units the pressure lips are forced downward, but maintains a sealing connection with their respective recess or counterbore. The pressure skirt 20, when fitted within the cartridge bore, bears against the walls of the cartridge bore 8 to seal against internal pressure occasioned by ignition of the explosive cartridge.

n opposite sides of each cartridge bore 8 the breech portion 2 is provided with threaded bolt shank sockets'il and. similarly. on opposite sides of each gun bore the barrel portion 3 is provided with bolt head sockets I2. Bolts 23 extend through the bolt sockets 22 of one gun unit and into the threaded sockets II of the adjacent gun unit, so that the several gun units are bolted together. on opposite sides of their respective cartridge bores. The bolts are preferably of the recessed head type.

' The uppermost gun unit is secured to ahead member 24, the underside of which is provided with a step 4, rib and races 6 corresponding to those on the gun unit. In addition, the head member is provided with clearance recesses 25 adapted to receive the bolts 23. Also, the head member 24 is provided with a recess I l complementary to the counterbore I! of the uppermost gun unit; .Above this recess the head member 24 is provided with an ignition fuse socket 26 which receives an ignition fuse'z'i. The ignition fuse is preferably of the electrically ignited type; for example, it may comprise a match head com pound or a small amount of explosive, or both.

molded around a resistance wire or ignition wire.-

The ignition wire (not shown) is preferably connected to a suitable conductor 28. The head ployed to close the passage I 4 of the lowermost gununit.

Operation of my gun perforator is as follows: The ignition fuse 21 ignites the first cartridge, which discharges its bullet. As soon as the first bullet has passed its passage I4, flame from the uppermost cartridge ignites the cartridge of the succeeding gun unit, and so on until all the gun units are fired. It will be noted that the gun units are ignited in sequence; that is, the bullet from the first gun unit is practically discharged before the second gun unit is ignited. This affords an appreciable time interval between discharge of the gun units so that the casing does not receive the blast from all the gun units simultaneously, but instead the force is distributed in time so that the maximum pressure on the casing is not excessive. Also, by reason of the fact that the gun bores may be arranged spirally,

-the pressure against the casing is uniformly disis limited to the pressure exerted on an area equal to the cross section of the cartridge bore. This is a comparatively small area and the force on this area is well within the strength of the two bolts 23.

The breech block 15 may be of such thickness that it tends to space the adjacent gun units a slight distance. In this case the entire force exerted by the tension of the bolts is taken by the breech block; therefore insuring a tight seal at its upper and lower faces. However, by arranging the pressure lips so that they are normally above their corresponding surfaces of the breech D 8. adequate scaling is obtained without requiring the breech plug to take the full tension of the bolts.

Various changes and alternate arrangements may be made within the scope of the append'ed claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in the invention.

I claim:

1. A gun perforator comprising: a plurality of gun units in the form of cylindrical disks having a greater diameter than thickness, said cylindrical disksbeing stacked axially, each gun unit having a laterally directed gun bore and a longitudinally directed cartridge bore wholly open at one axial end, each cartridge bore being covered by the adjacent gun unit: means for securing said gun units together in a manner to withstand explosive pressures; and means defln ing passages connecting the cartridge bores of said gun units in series whereby the flame incidental to discharge of one gun unit is propagated to the succeeding gun unit.

7 2. A gun perforator comprising: a plurality of gun units, each defining a radially directed gun bore and a longitudinally directed cartridge bore intersecting an end of said gun unit to form a cartridge loading opening, each gun unit forming a cover portion adapted to fit over and close the cartridge bore of an adjacent gun unit when said gun units are stacked; each cover portion defining a passage forming at least part of a means of communication between the cartridge bores of said adjacent gun units whereby the flame in one cartridge bore may be propagated to the others. 3. A gun perforator comprising: a plurality of gun units, each being a short cylindrical section and having a breech portion of major thickness and a barrel portion of minor thickness, said gun units adapted to be stacked with their barrel portions and breech portions staggered; each gun unit having a cartridge socket in its breech portion and a gun bore extending diametrically therefrom through said barrel; and means defining passages between the gun bore of each gun unit and the cartridge socket of the adjacent gun unit whereby the cartridge sockets of the plurality of gun units are connected serially for the propagation of flame incidental to the discharge of said gun units.

4. A gun perforator comprising: a plurality of gun units in the form of cylindrical blocks stacked to form a composite column; said blocks having complementary stepped axial ends restraining said blocks against relative lateral movement, and each block defining a laterally directed gun bore and an axially directed cartridge socket, said cartridge sockets being closed by confronting ends of the adjacent blocks; and means defining passages incorporating said gun bores and connecting said cartridge sockets in sequence, whereby an ignition flame may be propagated throughout said plurality of gun units.

5. A gun perforator comprising: a plurality of gun units in the form of blocks, each having a longitudinally directed cartridge socket wholly open at one axial end and a laterally directed gun bore, said blocks adapted to be stacked in such a manner that the cartridge socket of each gun unit is sandwiched between the gun bore defining portions of adjacent gun units and covered thereby; means for securing said gun units to gether against explosive pressures that may be generated in said cartridge sockets; and means defining an ignition passage extending between the cartridge sockets of said gun units.

6., A gun perforator comprising: a plurality of gun units, each defining a radially directed gun bore and a longitudinally directed cartridge bore intersecting one end of said gun unit, said gun units adapted to be stacked with the side of one gun unit closing the cartridge bore of the. ad jacent gun unit; axially directed securing means extending between adjacent gun units on opposite sides of said cartridge bores to hold said gun units in sealing relation; and passage-defining means directly connecting intermediate its ends the gun bore of each gun unit to the cartridge bore of the adjacent gun unit, whereby the cartridge bores are serially connected for the propagation of an ignition flame.

7. A gun perforator comprising: a plurality of gun units, each defining a radially directed gun bore intersecting one side of said gun unit and a longitudinally directed cartridge bore intersecting one end thereof, said'gun units adapted to be stacked with the end of one gun unit closing the cartridge bore of the adjacent un unit; said gun units directed alternately in opposite directions, the gun bore of each being between the cartridge bores of the adjacent gun unit; tie bolt on opposite sides of the gun bore of each gun unit extending therefrom into an adjacent gun unit on opposite sides of the cartridge bore of said adjacent gun unit; and passage-defining means directly connecting the gun bore of each gun unit intermediate its ends to the cartridge bore of the adjacent gun unit, whereby the cartridge bores are serially conected for the propagation of an ignition flame.

8. A gun perforator comprising: a series of gun units, each defining a gun bore and a cartridge.

bore; and means defining an ignition passage directly connecting the gun bore itself of one gun unit intermediate its ends with the cartridge bore of the adjacent gun unit.

9. A gun perforator comprising: a series of gun units, each defining a gun bore and a cartridge bore; a bullet for each gun bore; a cartridge for each cartridge bore; means defining an ignition passage connecting directly the gun .bore of one gun unit between the bullet and muzzle end of said gun bore with the cartridge bore of the adjacent gun unit; and covers sealing the muzzle ends of said gun bores.

10. A gun perforator comprising: a series of gun units, each defining a gun bore and a cartridge bore; means defining an ignition passage directly connecting the gun bore of one gun unit intermediate its ends with the cartridge bore of the adjacent gun unit; and a removable plug having a reduced bore fitting said ignition passage.

11. A gun perforator comprising: a series of gun blocks adapted to be stacked, each gun block defining a laterally directed gun bore and a cartridge chamber communicatingtherewith; said gun blocks having complementary interlocking elements on each end, the interlock-ing elements on one end being offset arcuately from those on the other end whereby, when said blocks are stacked, the muzzle ends of said gun bores define helical paths.

12. A gun perforator comprising: a series of gun blocks adapted to be stacked, each defining a laterally directed gun bore, a cartridge bore and an ignition passage leading from the'gun bore, said ignition passage adapted to register with the cartridgebore of an adjacent gun block when said blocks are stacked; said gun blocks having complementary interlocking elements on each end, the interlocking elements on one end bein offset arcuately from those on the other end whereby, when said blocks are stacked, the muzzle ends of said gun bores define helical paths.

13. A gun perforator comprising: a series of gun blocks adapted to be stacked end to end: each gun bore defining a laterally extending gun bore, a longitudinally extending cartridge bore communicating with its gun bore and intersecting an end of said gun block, and an ignition passage leading directly from the gun bore intermediate its ends and intersecting the opposite end of said gun block, the ignition passage of each gun block adapted to communicate with the cartridge bore of the adjacent gun block.

14. A gun perforator comprising: a series of gun blocks adapted to be stacked end to end; each gun bore defining a laterally extending gun bore, a longitudinally extending cartridge bore communicating with its gun bore and intersecting an end of said gun block, and an ignition passage leading directly from the gun bore intermediate itsends and intersecting the opposite end 0! said gun block, the ignition passage of each gun block adapted to communicate with the cartridge borea of the adjacent gun block; and breech plugs interposed between aid ignition passages and their corresponding cartridge bores, said breech plugs having restricted ignition bores therethrough.

15. A gun perforator as defined in claim 14 wherein said breech plugs include means for confining the pressure area between said gun blocks substantially to the area. of said cartridge bores; and tie bolts extending past opposite sides or the gun bore of one gun block and into the adjacent gun block on opposite sides of its cartridge bore.

16. A gun perforator comprising: a series of gun blocks adapted to be stacked end to end; each gun bore defining a laterally extending gun bore, a longitudinally extending cartridge bore communicating with its gun bore and intersecting an end of said gun block, and an ignition passage leading from the gun bore and intersecting the opposite end of said gun block, the ignition passage of each gun block adapted to communicate with the cartridge bore of the adjacent gun block; said gun blocks having complementary interlocking elements on each end, the interlocking elements on one end being offset arcuately from those on the other end whereby, when said blocks are stacked, the muzzle ends of said gun bores define helical paths.

17. A gun perforator comprising: a series of gun blocks adapted to be stacked end to end; each gun bore defining a laterally extending gun bore, a longitudinally extending cartridge bore communicating with its gun bore and intersecting an end of said gun block, and an ignition passage leading from the gun bore and intersecting the opposite end of said gun block, the ignition passage of each gun block adapted to communicate with the cartridge bore of the adjacent gun block; breech plugs interposed between said ignition passages and their corresponding cartridge bores, said breech plugs having restricted ignition bores therethrough; said gun blocks having complementary interlocking elements on each end, the interlocking elements on one end being oflset arcuately from those on the other end whereby, when said blocks are stacked, the muzzle ends of said gun bores define helical paths.

18. A gun perforator as defined in claim 17 wherein said breech plugs include means for confining the pressure area between said gun blocks substantiallytO the varea of said cartridge bores; and tie bolts extending past opposite sides of the gun bore of one gun block and into the adjacent gun block on opposite sides of its cartridge bore.

19. A gun perforator comprising: a gun block having a laterally directed gun bore intersecting a side of said gun block, a longitudinally directed cartridge bore at the inner end of said gun bore intersecting an end of said gun block, and an ignition passage leading directly from said gun bore itself and intersecting the opposite end of said gun block; said gun block adapted to be stacked end to end with other similar gun blocks, the ends of each gun block having complementary interlocking elements arranged so that the gun blocks stack in two sets with cartridge bores in registry with the ignition passage of the adjacent gun block, and the gun bores pointing alternately in opposite directions.

20. A gun perforator construction as defined in claim 19 wherein the interlocking elements on oneend of each gun block is oifset arcuately with respect to those on the opposite end whereby, upon stacking said gun blocks, the muzzle ends of the gun bores define helical paths; and wherein the aris of each cartrdge bore is offset from the axis of its gun bore to align with the ignition passage of the adjacent gun block.

- I LLOYD SPENCER. 

